Speed Light Comparison: Can You Spot The Differences?

Let’s be honest, there are a lot of advantages to using speed lights. They are light, portable and they run on batteries. Speed light modifiers that accompany them are also usually quite light and portable as well. But speed lights do have their draw backs and they can be a real pain to use when you encounter issues, such as a painfully slow recycle time between flashes and a lot less power then you need on a bright sunny day.  If you have a love hate relationship with speed lights then this article might just have a solution for you. 

Do you think you can spot the subtle differences between the 3 different speed light brands in the comparison below? Before we get to the comparison, let me first ask you a question. Do you hate speed lights? Or do you love them? Do you think studio strobes provide a better quality of light than speed lights?

First, lets get into the speed light challenge. You may be under the impression that speed lights offer an inferior quality of light compared to studio strobes. You may also believe that the more expensive speed lights provide a better quality of light than some of the less expensive speed lights on the market. By the conclusion of this article you will have a solution to overcome your speed lights slow recycle time and less power that you will experience when using speed lights and you may even view speed lights differently than you ever have before.

I challenge you and all the pixel peepers out there to spot the differences between 3 different speed light brands that were used for the test images below. The three speed lights used in this challenge are the Canon 600 EX RT, the Yongnuo YN 560 and the Cactus RF-60. Can you spot the subtle differences between these three speed lights? Before you begin, take a quick mental note of your choices and make sure you keep track of your results. 

What speed light do you think was used to create the image below?

If you guessed the Canon 600 EX RT the most expensive speed light tested in this challenge then you are wrong, the image above was taken with the Cactus RF-60.

How about the image below… What speed light brand do you think was used to create this image?

The speed light used for this image was the Yongnuo 560. Are you surprised at the results that you can get from the lower priced speed lights? Through this comparison I realized it is more about how you modify the light and I will get to what light modifier we used in this speed light shootout shortly.

How about the image below? What’s your guess?

Nope, it’s the Cactus RF-60 again. One thing I discovered during this comparison was that the color temperature from each speed light brand was slightly different. But if you shoot in raw and you use an Xrite Color Checker Passport or a Spyder Color Checkr Target you can easily adjust for the differences in Capture One Pro 8 or Adobe Camera Raw.

What’s your guess for the last image?

Yep, you’re right it’s the Canon 600 EX RT… The major differences between the lower priced speed lights compared to the higher priced speed lights, is not so much about the quality of the light that they produce, as you can see from the examples in this article.

The differences you will find with higher priced speed lights are in most cases a better build quality and additional features that you won’t find in the lower priced counter parts.

Earlier in the article I mentioned a solution to help you overcome some challenges of using speed light such as the slower recycle time and lower power of speed lights compared to studio strobes…

Check out the Behind The Scenes Video below where I take you behind the Velvet Rope and reveal my lighting set up and exactly how the images in this article were created in the studio. 

As you could see from the video above I used the 32 inch Westcott Rapid Box Duo with a number of different speed lights in the studio. Just to recap, the gear I used in the video starting with the stand was the Avenger C stand with the D-600 Boom Arm and a Baby Drop Down Pin.

Although the C stand isn’t the cheapest option on the market, if you shoot in the Butterfly Lighting position or the Clam Shell lighting configuration a Avenger C-stand with a Boom Arm and a drop down pin will make your life a whole lot easier. This set up is a life safer, You will no longer have to struggle with heavy modifiers rotating out of position. 

Now let’s have a closer look at some of the features of the 32 Westcott Rapid Box Duo. It comes with a Silver interior with an inner and outer baffle. You can use it for head shots or small groups and the tiling bracket makes it easy to adjust. You can also use it as a Beauty Dish with the optional deflector plate installed. Note the deflector plate is an optional accessory and it does not come included with the Rapid Box Duo.

You can also use the Westcott Rapid Box Duo with a optional 40 degree Egg Crate Grid for more control of your light in situations where you want to restrict the spread of the light. Grid’s are handy in cramped quarters or when you just want more control.

Here’s a closer look at the inner baffle and you can use the Rapid Box Duo in this configuration for a more specular highlight with a diffused center. When it comes to speed light modifiers this is one of the most versatile options I've used.

For the ultimate softness and a smoother spread of light you can use it with both diffusion panels installed. Also, The dual speed light cold shoe mounting bracket with the Westcott Rapid Box Duo will change the way you use speed lights in your daily work flow. 

You are already probably starting to see the obstacles the Westcott Rapid Box Duo will help you to overcome. Not to mention the amount of different options available and the quality of light it provides.  Overall it overcomes a lot of the challenges inherent with the design of small portable speed lights by increasing the size of the light source and allowing you to use up to two speed lights for more power. Sure, I know some of you probably think it is too expensive, and I wish it was more affordable myself.  It would be nice if the Grid and the Deflector plate came as standard equipment but it seems to be a trend other manufactures are also following. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, you can find out more about me over at my website Craig Beckta Photography and you can also connect with me on Facebook.

Let me know your thoughts on the speed light comparison, were there any surprises for you? Just leave a comment down below.